Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
Post what they are ... differences .. so many to pick from .. I'm even clueless on what fits what ..
Rails n stuff .. Keymod , Picatinny ???
- Thread starter Acer-m14
- Start date
Five main types:
Picatinny - proven design, but generally heavier and not comfortable to hold ("cheese grater") without covers, most attachments available
Keymod - probably the lightest with attachments, looks like small man-parts or modular shelving, lots of attachments available
M-Lok - about the same weight as Keymod, looks better, comfortable w/o covers, lots of attachments available
Proprietary attachment - started pre-keymod/M-lok, less common now, limited attachments
Smooth - typically very lightweight, but without ability to attach anything
Keymod and M-Lok are fighting to take over the old Pic market. Both are pretty popular. Few new rails are full quad (Pic) anymore.
Two mounting types: traditional and free-floating. Traditional typically use a delta ring on the receiver end and attach to a front sight base at the front, which means that they are attached to the barrel. Free-floating attach to a barrel nut on the receiver end and do not attach on the front. Thus, they are not connected to the barrel, which is better for harmonics. Probably only noticeable for precision shooting, but most rails these days are FF.
Lengths are typically 7", 9", 12" and 15", though 13-14" models also exist. The trend has been toward longer rails.
Picatinny - proven design, but generally heavier and not comfortable to hold ("cheese grater") without covers, most attachments available
Keymod - probably the lightest with attachments, looks like small man-parts or modular shelving, lots of attachments available
M-Lok - about the same weight as Keymod, looks better, comfortable w/o covers, lots of attachments available
Proprietary attachment - started pre-keymod/M-lok, less common now, limited attachments
Smooth - typically very lightweight, but without ability to attach anything
Keymod and M-Lok are fighting to take over the old Pic market. Both are pretty popular. Few new rails are full quad (Pic) anymore.
Two mounting types: traditional and free-floating. Traditional typically use a delta ring on the receiver end and attach to a front sight base at the front, which means that they are attached to the barrel. Free-floating attach to a barrel nut on the receiver end and do not attach on the front. Thus, they are not connected to the barrel, which is better for harmonics. Probably only noticeable for precision shooting, but most rails these days are FF.
Lengths are typically 7", 9", 12" and 15", though 13-14" models also exist. The trend has been toward longer rails.
GTN
.308 Win
Bought my 1st AR and it had a 8" picatinny rail. Swapped it out right away for a 15" keymod rail.
It's lighter and so much easier on the hands. I also now have dbl the real estate for postioning accessories.
Rifle now looks sleeker and it's less chunky
It's lighter and so much easier on the hands. I also now have dbl the real estate for postioning accessories.
Rifle now looks sleeker and it's less chunky
Bozo
.45 acp
I really like the ALG EMR rails, in what they call "V2". It is an M-Lok, narrow and light. There are 3 different versions, and V2 only has a short section of picatinny at the end of the rail, perfect for mounting the front sight. V1 has no rail at all, and V3 has a full top rail like most other manufacturers. It is easy to find short sections of picatinny that attach to M-Lok or keymod rails, allowing the mounting of accessories require it. I like that flexibility over a standard quad rail.
ALG is not the cheapest, but they did have some steep Black Friday discounts last year.
ALG is not the cheapest, but they did have some steep Black Friday discounts last year.
GTN
.308 Win
I think that was the biggest deciding factor right there. When I had the 8" quad rail and I would practice on quickly acquiring targets I would reach out and grab the barrel
Grabbing the barrel would hurt but some people go even further and shoot their finger tip off.
I do like to have something attached at the end of the rail to index my grip, a barricade block or some other forward grip can help keep your hand from sliding forward off the front of the rifle.
I do like to have something attached at the end of the rail to index my grip, a barricade block or some other forward grip can help keep your hand from sliding forward off the front of the rifle.